“Lucas, what would you like for lunch?”
“Mac ‘n’ cheese, please!”
“Okay, do you want to pick out a bowl?”
My mother attended West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. Her best friend and roommate was named Brenda. My mother remarked more than once that Brenda’s sole purpose for attending college was to find a husband.
It was a different time in the early sixties.
My mother told me how Brenda would never go anywhere without full make-up on because as she would say, you just never know.
This drove my mother crazy.
I believe my mother had aspirations of working for the United Nations as a French translator. As it turned out she ended up getting married in college too.
Brenda actually went on at least one date with my father before my mother started dating him. She said that she knew from the moment she met him, that he was the man she’d marry. I love that.
I met Brenda on several occasions and she was lovely. She did marry while in college. Twice that I know of. She had three children. Her eldest was two years older than me, a boy. I got all of his hand me downs.
This meant I wore a lot of blue and red. I didn’t know the difference and my parents were struggling to make ends meet so they were grateful for the clothes.
Back in the 70’s, cartoon/television characters weren’t plastered all over everything like they are today, so the bowl and cup set I had with Raggedy Ann and Andy’s likeness were special, as were the Mickey Mouse spoon and fork.
My mother didn’t make a point of giving these to me, I simply found them one day in our kitchen long after I had outgrown them and decided to keep them. At the time, I wasn’t sure why.
Now I do.
I don’t have any of my old clothes that I wore as a toddler and certainly none of the hand me downs from Brenda’s son. I do have a few well loved, stuffing-coming-out-of-their-heads stuffed animals and baby dolls with terrible haircuts and an old Barbie case filled with Barbies and accessories, but none of that would I share with Lucas, so I’m happy I saved these dishes and can hand them down to him.
Hearing “I want the Raggedy Ann and Andy bowl, Mommy.” is music to my ears.
Related Posts:
I have Jason’s little silverware from when he was a toddler! I wish I had some things from my childhood, memories built into them with just the thought of them.
Hand me downs are fun, especially when they’re every day items that have stood the test of time and can still be used.
I love this! I had hand me downs, from 3 older brothers. I wore a lot of oranges and browns. Sadly I have nothing from those days.
But those dishes, wow. How wonderful that they are still being used.
I was thrilled when I discovered them in a box in the garage not too long ago and that Lucas didn’t snub them because he’s more into Thomas, Mickey and Cars.
Thanks for telling me about the spam thing. I am going to make a point to check it more often now. I found some good stuff in there.
I still have stuff from when I was younger that my kids use today. Even though it’s old, it does hold a certain sentimental value.
I am all about the sentimental value! I’m happy that these pieces have stood the test of time so that I could pass them down.
I have shared many things from my childhood with my boys, and I love it.
It’s fun to share!
Ooh I still have my silverware like that…I will touch it and be 6 all over again. My mom recently gave the boys our old Mickey Mouse bowls and they adore them ….this post made me so happy , I can see why him picking that bowl makes your heart smile.
I felt the same way as soon as I found these pieces in a box in our garage; 6 all over again. I love that Lucas can use them.
My mom STILL has our Mickey and Minnie Mouse silverware and all the grandkids clamor for a chance to use them. I have very vivid memories of my mom taking me to see the Raggedy Ann and Andy movie. I am middle of three and that is one of the rare occasions I go to do something with her by myself.
Robbie
http://fracturedfamilytales.blogspot.com/
Too cute. My kids love checking out the stuff that belonged to us when were little. According to my son, his father and I were little “a super, really long time ago, like 1 million years, right, Mom?”
“1 million years ago?!” OUCH!
Oh I love this so much. Also – I have that same bowl!! xo
I bet a lot of girls that grew up in the 70’s had them. 🙂 They are a sturdy set! As are we, I might add.
So sweet! I love that you have these things and that he wants them.
And this post is perfect because of the pictures, Tonya…it just adds that little touch to see the actual plates and utensils.
Thanks! I thought they would add to the story (long winded as it was to get to my point).
Awww, that is so sweet. It’s funny to me to see our kids play at my parents house because they have pulled out old toys I had forgotten about. This is so special for you to be able to share with him.
I wish I had more things to pass down to Lucas. I wonder if he’d like my Barbie collection? Probably not. 🙂
Love this Tonya, I think it is so great that there are things from your past that you can pass along to Lucas and this piece turned out perfectly.
Thank you, I really appreciate your help/advice/eyes. 🙂
This is so sweet. And now I have a craving for mac’n’cheese.
It always tempting to take a big huge bite, but so far I have resisted. So far…
What a sweet story! Raggedy Ann was my first doll…loved her!
I still have a couple of dolls too, but I doubt Lucas would like those. 🙂
What a perfectly lovely post. I am stopping by from SITS.
Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by.
this brought back memories. I have so many things that my mom saved for when I’d have a baby. One of them is that very same Mickey Mouse spoon. I smile whenever my son uses it.
My mom has the spoons framed in her kitchen. Love the 70’s. What no picture of you in a red jumpsuit? Come on.
I saved all of my Barbies for my daughter. Pretty neat to see her playing with all of the things I did. After she was out of that phase, we packed them up and hopefully she can hand them down to her daughter? If they survive! 🙂
I love those! Total nostalgia.
We had some of those plates you decorate yourself – they’re plastic and they have my very childish writing all over them. My mom pulled them out to use with Connor when he comes to their house. Love seeing them again.
I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely loved the usual information an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently to check out new posts